When Gambling Becomes an Addiction

Whatever you may think about gambling good, bad or indifferent it’s a form of recreation that’s been with us throughout the history of mankind and it’s something that will never go away. In moderation, gambling can be a lot of fun (though the odds are most people will find themselves a bit poorer because of it), it’s when moderation becomes an addiction that serious problems can arise.

People who become addicted to gambling often start as a means of relaxation and recreation, whether they bet on horses, races or at casinos or just a friendly game of poker with the guys every other weekend. For many, their gambling habit becomes an escape from reality and often it’s not just the excitement of the actual risk that turns them on, but the whole series of events leading up to final “win” or “lose” outcome. The euphoria they feel has little to do with winning or losing, but it’s the fantasy environment that takes them out of the mundane reality of their normal life and projects them into a world of excitement and risk.

And that is what gambling is all about risk-taking. A person is forced to take chances over and over again, and each time their belief that the next risk will be the one that will make everything right grows until the true reality of the situation comes crashing down around them.

Gambling is really a subjective excitement and dissociation that increases the heart rate in somewhat the same way as a drug induces excitement and an escape from reality. Gamblers are quite often people who are very ego driven and risk takers who need the approval of other people, and have a deep insecurity that makes them want to prove themselves over and over again.

With the proliferation of gambling casinos online, gambling has spread like a disease throughout the world. In Asia, 21% of people polled believed they were pathological gamblers. While in America, about 5% among respondents stated they had a gambling problem.

Gambling addictions can often grow out of poverty. If a person struggles throughout their life and never reaches the success they were expecting, they can become tired of always having to struggle and this can make them vulnerable to the allure of gambling. Often it’s their last resort effort to escape their problems.

The consequences of compulsive gambling can be disastrous. Not only can huge debts be accured, but a person may be tempted to commit a crime in order to pay off gambling obligations.

Some people feel that their gambling is just a habit or form of entertainment, and not an addiction. However, as with most addictions, denial is part of the game and if they start missing work or school because of their gambling habit, it’s obvious they have a problem. The next step is to figure out how to get them to admit it before the habit starts to tear their life apart.

If you know someone who obviously has a gambling problem, you might ask them to answer a few questions that may help them, if they’re honest, have a clearer picture of what their life is turning into. Ask them what gambling has done to their reputation, or status in life, or if people see them as greedy? Do they feel elevated or on a high when they’re gambling? Do they habitually borrow cash for gambling purposes? Is their gambling habit creating a mind set that has them considering robbery or theft in order to deal with their growing debts? If they answer yes to any of these questions, then they are definitely on the road to become a gambling addict if they’re not already there.

There is help available for a person who’s ready to confront their gambling addiction. Gambling Anonymous is one such source available that will offer support. However, family and friends may also be available for help and support when the gambler has fully realized they have a problem and is ready to do something about it.

As with all addictions, the sooner it is identified as a problem, the sooner treatment or help can begin so that it doesn’t escalate into a major upheaval that could ruin a person’s financial future.

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Glenn Cutforth is a writer, eBook publisher and graphic designer.

Visit his websites at: Conquer Anxiety and Depression.com and HowToClassics.com

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